At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead customer insights to shape marketing and editorial strategies across iconic media brands.
- Company: Join Hearst UK, a leading premium publisher with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid work, health perks, discounts, and a supportive environment for growth.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to shaping culture and driving change.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in media while working with creative minds and innovative projects.
- Qualifications: Strong analytical skills and experience in market research methodologies required.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are the UK's leading premium publisher, home to iconic and influential media brands including Cosmopolitan, Esquire, Elle, Harper's Bazaar, and Country Living. At Hearst UK, we don’t just create content — we shape culture. Our workplace is built on collaboration, creativity, and trust. We champion bold ideas, embrace innovation, and continually evolve to meet the moment — all while celebrating the legacy that’s brought us here. We believe in each other’s potential and push boundaries together to make a meaningful impact, both in the media landscape and in people’s lives.
Hearst UK operate a hybrid working model of four days per week in the office and one day working from home. Our office is based at House of Hearst, 30 Panton Street, St James's, London, SW1Y 4AJ, where teams collaborate in person and connect across brands and functions.
As the Customer Insight Director at Hearst UK, you will lead insight generation and delivery across marketing, editorial, product, strategy, partnerships, new business development, and commercial/advertising at Hearst. This is an independent, hands‐on role, suited to someone who is comfortable rolling up their sleeves and personally leading the design, execution and delivery of high‐quality research using advanced methodologies. You will work closely with senior leaders and peers to shape decision‐making and unlock growth opportunities across the Hearst portfolio of brands.
Main Duties:
- Independently manage in‐house research projects end‐to‐end, from briefing and design, to execution, analysis, and debrief (surveys, communities, qual, UX), and augmenting in‐house activities with external partners where necessary, to deadline and on budget.
- Integrate a broad set of data (behavioural analytics, first‐party data, qualitative, trends, contextual data) into unified narratives and insights that inform marketing, editorial, product, partnership, and commercial/advertising decisions through evidence‐based storytelling, with concise, actionable recommendations.
- Lead debriefs, readouts, and workshops with senior leaders and peers; codify best practices, templates, and playbooks for repeatable impact.
- Partner with peers across the Customer team to leverage other data sources and share knowledge for delivering holistic customer understanding and best‐in‐class insight.
- Establish and manage the ongoing insights delivery for our customer satisfaction programme across 15 brands.
- Contribute to the ongoing dissemination of insight to the wider organization through newsletters, knowledge sessions, surgeries, etc.
- Coach and develop junior team members to deliver high‐quality, reproducible research and insight at pace.
What We Are Looking For:
- Core Technical Skills: Expert analytical thinker with strong curiosity; comfortable across qualitative and quantitative data - and any other types of data. Deep general market research experience with advanced methodology and project expertise (segmentation, market sizing, pricing, brand tracking, conjoint/MaxDiff, etc.), including research design (sampling frameworks, weighting), and analysis (factor analysis, cluster analysis, regression, etc.). Has practical experience of execution of these.
- Meticulous attention to detail; robust validation and triangulation across sources.
- Experience of working with survey platforms, including scripting and QA‐ing quantitative studies and running qualitative research at scale.
- Experience of undertaking qualitative work, from moderation (IDIs, focus groups, online communities), to ethnographic and observational research and UX studies. Has practical experience of execution of these.
Communication & Storytelling: Clear, influential communicator to executive and cross‐functional teams. Storytelling that connects customer evidence to strategy, product, and partnership choices; strong visual presentation. Great at synthesizing complex information, gets to impact and action.
Business & Strategic Acumen: Good understanding of growth levers for media companies. Problem‐solver who prioritises initiatives with highest enterprise impact. Builds trusted relationships with senior stakeholders; facilitates alignment and influences decision‐making; acts as a trusted advisor. Collaborative, active listener; adapts approach to audience, scope, or new data.
Personal Attributes: Persistent, open‐minded, and committed to continuous learning; elevates team standards. Ethical steward of data and customer trust. Passionate, authentic, creative, and entrepreneurial.
Hearst UK is deeply committed to using our influential brands to reflect the world we want to live in – one that respects, protects, represents and uplifts the voices and opinions of all people. As a business, we recognise the significant benefits of creativity, collaboration and innovation that comes with diverse teams. Not only is diversifying the voices in our organization the right thing to do, but it also helps us to make powerful and exciting content that can be enjoyed by many more people. This is why we’re working to build a sense of true belonging within our business and foster a culture in which everyone feels heard.
Customer Insights Director United Kingdom (Hybrid) Posted on 02/26/2026 in London employer: Hearst Communications, Inc.
At Hearst Communications, Inc., we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture in the heart of London. Our commitment to employee growth is reflected in our comprehensive training programmes and opportunities for advancement, ensuring that you can thrive in your role as Customer Operations Lead. With a focus on operational excellence and customer satisfaction, you'll be part of a team that values innovation and collaboration, making a meaningful impact on our ambitious membership growth.
Contact Details:
Hearst Communications, Inc. Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Customer Insights Director United Kingdom (Hybrid) Posted on 02/26/2026 in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with your own. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! Be ready to share examples of your past experiences that highlight your skills and achievements. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and keep them engaging.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A simple thank-you email can go a long way in leaving a positive impression. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Customer Insights Director United Kingdom (Hybrid) Posted on 02/26/2026 in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Authentic:When you're writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your unique experiences and insights that make you a great fit for the Customer Insights Director role.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to match the job description. Highlight your relevant skills and experiences that align with what we’re looking for, especially in areas like market research and storytelling. This shows us you’ve done your homework!
Showcase Your Impact:We love seeing how you've made a difference in your previous roles. Use specific examples to demonstrate how your insights have driven growth or improved customer satisfaction. Numbers and outcomes speak volumes!
Keep It Clear and Concise:While we appreciate detail, clarity is key! Make sure your application is easy to read and straight to the point. Use bullet points where necessary and avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the role. We want to understand your message quickly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hearst Communications, Inc.
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Hearst UK's brands and their impact on culture. Familiarise yourself with their recent projects and how customer insights have shaped their strategies. This will show your genuine interest and help you connect your experience to their needs.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've used both qualitative and quantitative data in past roles. Be ready to explain your methodologies and the outcomes of your research projects. This is crucial for a role that demands expert analytical thinking.
✨Master the Art of Storytelling
Practice how you can turn complex data into compelling narratives. Think about how you can present insights that not only inform but also inspire action. Use visuals if possible, as this aligns with the role's emphasis on clear communication and impactful storytelling.
✨Be Ready to Collaborate
Since the role involves working closely with senior leaders and cross-functional teams, prepare examples that highlight your collaborative spirit. Discuss how you've built relationships and influenced decision-making in previous positions, showcasing your ability to adapt and listen actively.
